Goa, the smallest state of India, has a long history of rulers dating back to the 3 rd century bc when it was the part of the Mauryan empire. Goa has been ruled by numerous rulers like the Silharas, Kadamdas, Chaukyans, kings of Deccan, kings of Vijaynagar, Adilshah of Bijapur and last but not least the Portuguese who were the most successful of them all. The Portuguese came in 1498 and were the first Europeans to set foot in India, they soon established a trading colony for the sole purpose of dealing with spices and cotton and later ended up ruling the state when the Portuguese admiral Alfonso de Albuquere defeated the ruling Bijapur kings on the behalf of a local sovereign. Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for 450 years till it was liberated from the Portuguese to form a part of India on 19th December 1961.
Goa encompasses an area of 3702 square kilometers. It is bounded by the state of Maharastra on the north and Karnataka on the east and the south .The Arabian Sea makes up the states west coast. Goa has a coast line of 101 kms which comprises of beautiful beaches. Its main rivers are the Mandovi, the Zuari, Terekhol, Chapora and Betul. The Mandovi and Zuari are the life lines of the state. Goa has one of the best natural habours in South Asia known as Mormugao. Goa being in the tropical zone has a warm and humid climate. Goa consists of 3 seasons namely the summer, rainy or the wet season and the cool season. Temperatures can reach a max of 35 degrees in summer and 18 degrees in the cool season, the rainy or wet season last between June and September.
Tourism is Goa’s primary industry followed by the fishing industry and the mining industry. Goa also has two world heritage sites the Basillica of Bom Jesus and a few designated Convents. The Basillica of Bom Jesus holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. The VelhosConquistas regions are also known for its Indo Portuguese style and architecture in many parts of Goa. Mansions constructed in the Indo Portuguese style architecture still stand. Fontainhas in Panjim has been declared a cultural quarter and are used as a living museum showcasing the life architecture and culture of Goa.
Vasco da Gama, is a city in Goa was founded in 1543 by the Portuguese. It remained in their hands until Goa ceased to be a Portuguese territory in 1961. The town shares its name with the world-renowned Portuguese explorer ‘VASCO DA GAMA’ who landed in Goa on 11 September 1524 but died in Kochi three months later. His remains were eventually returned to Portugal and interred at St Jeronimos monastery. It is the largest town in Goa located in Mormugaotaluka. Mormugao is also Goa’s busiest port and an important one for the country. The town is located approximately 30 kilometres from Panjim and 5 kilometres from the Dabolim airport.
